BDI Service for Journalists

Welcome to the BDI press centre. In the press centre facilities you will find a wide variety of information at your disposal in the form of press releases and the latest text material and images. Convenient search functions permit you to undertake speedy and informative research. If you require personal assistance, our contact partners will be glad to help you.

Press releases

Business must commit to Europe

11/13/2018
- On the occasion of the speech of the Federal Chancellor before the European Parliament, BDI President Dieter Kempf calls on the industry to commit to the benefits of the EU. Europe remains the most successful political project of our time. The Europeans could only meet the great challenges together.
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Midterm Elections: U.S. Collision Course is Likely to Continue

11/07/2018
- The Trump administration's collision course remains a threat to the global economy. German industry doesn't expect the election results to change the current protectionist course of US trade policy, says BDI President Kempf. Instead of going it alone, the US should contribute to create modern trade...
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Asia-Pacific Conference: World Trade Regime in the Spotlight

11/03/2018
- Asia-Pacific being one of the fastest growing regions in the world makes exchange with the region’s countries more important than ever for German economy. This year’s Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) is focusing on global trade regimes, on expansion of infrastructure in Asia as well...
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EU and US Must Apply the Emergency Brake in the Trade Dispute

07/23/2018
- In regards to the meeting between US President Donald Trump and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, BDI President Dieter Kempf urged: Tariffs imposed under the guise of national security should be removed. International trade disputes must be dealt with and resolved within the WTO...
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The United Kingdom is Hurtling Towards a Disorderly Brexit

The EU has the international law on its side

06/01/2018
- The EU should react cool-headed to the protectionist trade policy of the Trump administration, says BDI President Dieter Kempf as a response to the US customs on aluminium and steel. “Make America Great Again“ does not work with protectionism.
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Statements

EU Special Summit: Industry expects a clear sign of agreement

Regarding the fundamental agreement between the Brexit negotiators on a political declaration and ahead of the EU Special Summit on Sunday, BDI Director General Joachim Lang says reopening the negotiations is not the way Forward.

Soapbox speeches from London increase economic uncertainty

BDI (Federation of German Industries) Director General Joachim Lang comments about Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to Berlin. Instead of specifying concrete proposals with regard to future relations with the continent, London is delaying making its position clear.

More clarity at last – the UK should rapidly agree to EU27 proposal

Federal government needs to respond to US tax reform

BDI Director General Joachim Lang expressed concern at the expected impact of the US tax reform on German companies. The new regulations set cross-border companies considerable incentive to relocate investments to the US. Lang therefore calls on the German government to extensively reform German external tax regulations.

Brexit: UK government needs to reach agreement before an agreement with Brussels is possible

BDI Director General Joachim Lang laments the lack of a breakthrough after the latest meeting between UK Prime Minister Theresa May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Lang calls on the British government to reach agreement internally.

US tax reform bad for German industry

BDI Director General Joachim Lang has sharply criticised the US tax reform plans, saying they are not compatible with internationally agreed tax principles and are protectionist in nature. Lang urges Germany to face the international tax competition swiftly.

Ample progress must be achieved ahead of the next summit in December

After a meeting between British Prime Minister Theresa May and economic representatives midday today, Director General of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) Joachim Lang said that some necessary steps must still be made.

BDI on European Council decision: “Regrettable but justified”

In its most recent meeting, the European Council decided not to move into the second phase of the Brexit negotiations. The situation will be reviewed again in December 2017. BDI Director General Joachim Lang expressed his understanding but also underlined the need for clear progress before the next summit.

EU anti-dumping measures must comply with WTO regulations

Stefan Mair welcomes the informal agreement between the European Commission, Parliament and Council (trialogue) on reforming the EU's trade defence instruments. This is an important step to address the legal proceedings China has initiated against the EU before the WTO. However, the BDI strongly opposes the politicisation of trade defence instruments.

Prepare for very hard Brexit

BDI Director General Joachim Lang warns: “German firms must prepare for the worst-case scenario of a very hard exit, anything else would be naïve.” The BDI set up a task force to identify potential and acute risks associated with the UK’s exit from the EU and to develop constructive solution proposals. “To make it clear: Yes, German industry wants to keep a very close relationship with Britain....

Retreat into nationalism is not an option for our country

BDI President Dieter Kempf urges parties to rapidly sound out the coalition possibilities following the federal elections and take up focused negotiations on forming a viable new government. This is key to averting damage to Germany’s business environment.

British government continues to lack a clear Brexit course

BDI President Dieter Kempf calls on the British government to finally make clear statements on their withdrawal arrangements at the start of the third round of Brexit negotiations. The proposals for customs exemptions would be disproportionately bureaucratic and impractical. Kempf hardly expects significant progress without a coordinated government approach.

The hard Brexit course has been voted out

Regarding the outcome of the parliamentary election in the United Kingdom, the President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) Dieter Kempf said: “A weakened government does not make the difficult starting position for the Brexit discussions any easier.”

Major setback for international politics

Following the decision of the US President to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, BDI President Dieter Kempf underlines the importance of global cooperation. Unreliability and unpredictability are poison for the global solutions we need.